Accra, Aug 20 - GNA - Emmanuel Osei, the budding central defender of champion club Accra Hearts of Oak said on Tuesday that he has no knowledge about rumours making the rounds that he is on his way to Kumasi Asante Kotoko.

Osei who is popularly referred to as "Obuo" told the GNA Sports that his primary concern is to concentrate on his career at Hearts and pleaded with those at the centre of the transfer rumours to desist from them.

The strong defender said though he remains a player of Maxbees, he is currently enjoying his loan spell at the champion club, where he hopes to develop into a world-class player before thinking of the way forward.

He said he believes in the ability of coach Hebert Addo to straighten the rough edges in his style and promised his full loyalty to the coach and the club in their chase to the league title, adding that already, the coach has corrected one of his flaws by teaching him not to poke his feet forward when he leaps to contest an aerial ball.

Obuo said he would like to win his first championship ever and believes Hearts are still in great contention for it despite their second position at the end of the first round.

On his invitation to the Black Stars, he said he was glad to be in the squad and pledged to work hard in order to remain there and carve a niche for himself as a Ghanaian international, thereby increasing his market value.

He said he will contest the central defensive position with anybody who comes, with such determination that it will be impossible for the coaches to dispense with his services.

Obuo said being a utility player, he is also effective at the left and right midfield positions as well as in a supporting striker's role. Osei said the call up to the national team is a big challenge to all those who make the list because they are going in at a time when Ghana football is at crisis and it behoves on them to make sacrifices in order to redeem the awful image.